March 14, 2018 (St. Helens, OR)—Columbia Riverkeeper filed an appeal today challenging Columbia County’s second attempt to open 837 acres of high-value agricultural land along the Columbia River to industrial development. 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon’s statewide land use watchdog, is joining Riverkeeper’s appeal. The Port of St. Helens proposes doubling the size of its rural Port Westward property for fracked gas-to-methanol refineries, oil-by-rail, and other industrial development. Hundreds of people, including local farmers and small business owners, urged the county to protect farmland and salmon habitat from fossil fuel and other heavy industrial development.

Port Westward is ground zero for a string of controversial fossil fuel developments, including fracked gas, coal, and oil terminals. The Port of St. Helens recently announced plans to renew a lease option with Northwest Innovation Works to build the world’s largest fracked gas-to-methanol refinery at Port Westward. From 2013 to 2015, Global Partners operated an oil-by-rail transshipment facility before resuming ethanol shipments; the company maintains regulatory approval to restart oil shipments. Portland General Electric currently operates two gas-fired power plants at Port Westward. And in 2013 and 2014, the Port failed in attempts to site two coal export terminals at Port Westward.

“Hopville Farms remains disappointed with Columbia County’s decision to open farmland up to industrial polluters,” stated Jim Hoffmann, owner of Hopville Farms. “Our priority is to protect area water quality, which is vital to our blueberry farm and essential to the entire community, both now and in the future.”

The county’s decision marks the Port of St. Helens’ second attempt to remove agricultural protection for farmland at Port Westward. In 2014, a local farmer, Columbia Riverkeeper. The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals found the county’s decision to open farmland for industrial development violated Oregon laws designed to protect high-quality farmland and remanded the rezone back to local decision-makers. Despite years of opposition from neighbors, farmers, and conservation groups, the county approved the rezone.

“The Port was given opportunities to correct its proposal and bring it in line with Oregon land use law. Yet the Port’s proposal still fails to comply with Oregon’s laws protecting farmland. When other industrial lands are already available on the Port’s existing property, there is no reason to convert productive farmland for new development,” said Meriel Darzen, staff attorney with 1000 Friends of Oregon.

Columbia Riverkeeper is represented by Crag Law Center, a client-focused law center that supports community efforts to protect and sustain the Pacific Northwest’s natural legacy.

Breaking: People-powered legal action

By Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky, Senior Organizer

Port Westward, downstream.

You power us to protect salmon and farmland. Because of you, we filed an appeal today challenging Columbia County’s second attempt to open 837 acres of high-value agricultural land along the Columbia River to industrial development. 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon’s statewide land use watchdog, is joining Riverkeeper’s appeal.

Hundreds of people, including local farmers and small business owners, urged the county and the Port of St. Helens to protect farmland and salmon habitat from fossil fuel and other heavy industrial development at Port Westward. Yet the port and the county failed to listen.

Port Westward, owned and operated by the Port of St. Helens, is ground zero for a string of controversial fossil fuel developments, including fracked gas, coal, and oil terminals. The Port of recently announced plans to renew a lease option with Northwest Innovation Works to build the world’s largest fracked gas-to-methanol refinery at Port Westward. From 2013 to 2015, Global Partners operated an oil-by-rail transshipment facility before resuming ethanol shipments; the company maintains regulatory approval to restart oil shipments. Portland General Electric currently operates two gas-fired power plants at Port Westward. And in 2013 and 2014, the Port failed in attempts to site two coal export terminals at Port Westward.

The high value farmland slated for rezone at Port Westward is part of a vibrant agricultural economy that includes includes prized commodities like mint and blueberries. “Hopville Farms remains disappointed with Columbia County’s decision to open farmland up to industrial polluters,” stated Jim Hoffmann, owner of Hopville Farms. “Our priority is to protect area water quality, which is vital to our blueberry farm and essential to the entire community, both now and in the future.”

We’re excited to represent your values in Oregon’s land use court. Your written comments, oral testimony, and generous financial donations made are the foundation for today’s legal action. Every voice and every dollar will further protections for high value farmland and salmon habitat.

In May 2017, Hanford made national news when a tunnel containing highly radioactive waste partially collapsed, triggering a shelter-in-place order for nearby workers and prompting widespread concerns about Hanford’s aging nuclear infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Energy (Energy) filled the tunnel with grout, a form of cement. Now, Energy seeks to fill a second, larger tunnel with grout. if left in place, the pollution in the tunnels—known as the PUREX tunnels—could pose long-term risks to soils, groundwater, and the Columbia River.

PGE wants to increase smog-forming pollution at its Carty Generating Station, a 450 MW fracked gas-fired power plant. The plant began operating in 2016. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) new draft air pollution permit would allow the Carty Generating Station to emit 800% more volatile organic compounds, a key component of low-level ozone (smog) formation. Join Riverkeeper urging DEQ to hold PGE to its current pollution limits, and not to open the door to more pollution from PGE’s new fracked gas power plant. ACT NOW!